<div class="statement" id="rssfeed">
<h3>On the blog...</h3>
<?php
App::import('Helper', 'grabrss');

$grabrss = new GrabrssHelper();

echo $grabrss->latestPosts(Configure::read('Blog.rss'), 3);
?>
</div>
<p><span class="dropcap">W</span>elcome to the West Michigan Cooperative, the 
region's first online farmers market, brought to you by 
<a href="http://www.farmswithoutharm.org">Farms Without Harm</a>, 
the <a href="http://www.foodshed.net">Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council,</a>
<a href="http://www.deludigi.com">DeLeeuw Digital, LLC</a> and 
<a href="http://www.media-rare.com">Media Rare</a>.  The WMC serves as a
way for local farmers and consumers to stay connected all year long.</p>
<p>Here's how it works: Users purchase products from our producers on this site during a shopping "window" that begins on the first Saturday of every month and ends on the following Friday. Users then pick up and pay for their orders on Wednesday of the third full week that month at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=42.94425,-85.685935&spn=0.007665,0.014849&z=16&om=1&msid=109041438293054961992.000001130d02ae8504875" target="_new">Media Rare</a>.  There's an annual fee of $35 (or $100 to become a voting Member).</p>

<p><strong>Want to join?</strong> Get information <?=$html->link('here', '/pages/signup')?>, and start a free 2 month trial membership!</p>

<p><strong>Need to send in your membership check?</strong> Or just have a question? Find our mailing address, and email addresses, on the <?=$html->link('Contact Us page.','/pages/contact')?></p>

<div class="yui-gd">
	<div class="yui-u first">
		<ul>
		<li><?=$html->link('Learn More...', '/pages/definitions');?></li>
		<li><?=$html->link('See products by category', '/categories');?></li>
		<li><?=$html->link('See products by producer', '/producers');?></li>
		<li><?=$html->link("New Products",'/products/view/new');?></li>
		<li><?=$html->link("Updated Products",'/products/view/changed');?></li>
		</ul>
	</div>
	<div class="yui-u">
	<div class="statement" id='bottomline'>
		<h3>The Bottom Line</h3>
		<p><em>Know Your Farmer</em></p>
		<p>The key to a sustainable food system in West Michigan is the participation of local consumers.
		It's ultimately up to you to take responsibility for where your food comes from; educate yourself
		about the issues surrounding modern agriculture and don't be afraid to ask questions when you shop.
		Farmers who are as concerned about the food system as you are appreciate it.</p>
	</div>
	</div>
</div>
<p><span class="dropcap">A</span>ll the farmers, restaurants and other producers on this website are local &mdash; 
that is, they're located in West Michigan.  Beyond that, the farmers on this 
site practice a wide variety of agricultural methods ranging from conventional 
to Certified Organic farming.  You should acquaint yourself with each producer 
so you know what type of product you're purchasing.  They all have descriptions 
of their practices and products on this site.</p> 

<p>We encourage you to educate yourself on the issues involved in modern farming 
and local food systems.  We've provided some information on this site, and you 
can find more at Farms Without Harm and the Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems 
Council.</p>

<p>We believe the best hope for building a healthy, humane, local food system lies 
with an educated consumer.  Happy shopping!</p>
